First message
There’s very few things in this life that bring me peace, and walking through a practically empty park in Moscow is one of them. Hands shoved into my pants pockets, I ignore the bite of the wind against my skin. Winter will be here soon but it won’t keep me from my little ritual. When you eat, sleep, and shit Bratva life, you learn to appreciate the moments where you can just breathe. I flick open my lighter, bringing it to the cigarette trapped between my lips.
I stumble forward, nearly dropping the lighter, when a woman jogging past bumps into me.
Oh, sorry. She apologizes and resumes her jog.
Brow forrowed, I grunt in response. Turning my attention back to the pond, I watch as a few geese take off, rippling the glassy surface beneath. I stuff my lighter back into my jacket pocket and freeze. I growl, realizing my phone and wallet are missing, and likely jogging away with the pretty little pickpocket that’s officially ruined what was meant to be a quiet afternoon. Fuck.